Basil—you, at least, could stay. You could guide us out to the stars.
"You go away," groaned Wocha.
The devil's rage flamed in her face. She yelled, and a lance whistled from the sky and buried itself in the great breast.
"Wocha!" yelled Donovan.
The Donarrian snarled and snapped off the shaft that stood between his ribs. He whirled it over his head, and Valduma's green eyes widened in fear.
"Donovan!" roared Wocha, and let it fly.
It smashed home, and the Ansan dropped his sword and swayed on his feet. He couldn't look on the broken thing which had been Valduma.
"Boss, you go home now."
Wocha laid him in the airlock and slammed the outer valve shut. Turning, he faced the Arzunians. He couldn't see very well—one eye was gone, and there was a ragged darkness before the other. The sword felt heavy in his hand. But—
"Hooo!" he roared and charged them.